New Haven, CT – The Northeast Charter Schools Network today sent the following statement after the State Board of Education voted 7-1 against approving seats for public charter schools.

Northeast Charter Schools Network Connecticut State Director Yam Menon said, "We are incredibly disappointed in the Board’s decision, as it will only hurt real kids who are longing for the type of high-quality education charter schools can provide. These weren’t just 57 seats; they’re 57 real children who deserve for their needs to be adequately met. But because of our state’s deeply flawed funding system, schools can’t grow and serve more students who are demanding access to them.

"Our fight is for real kids and families across our state who are choosing charter schools in droves. Yet each year, these schools have to spend incredible amounts of time away from the classroom fighting for fairness, when they should be doing what they’re intended to do: provide a high-quality education to as many kids as they possibly can. Every year that this divisive and vitriolic narrative continues is another year that real kids don’t get the education they need and deserve. It’s time to fix our state’s broken funding system once and for all."

About the Northeast Charter Schools Network: The Northeast Charter Schools Network is the membership and advocacy organization for the more than 300 charter schools in New York and Connecticut. Its mission is to support and expand high quality public charter schools.